Man City Predicted XI: Liverpool (H)
- Bobby Vincent
- Jan 1, 2019
- 3 min read
Manchester City welcome Liverpool to the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night in the biggest match of the league season so far.
Pep Guardiola knows more than anyone the importance of this clash and he has a big decision on his line-up that he selects.
We've done our best to try and get in the mind of one of the best tacticians of our generation...
GK: Ederson
Well, this one's more of a straightforward selections of the team. It will be good to see Ederson vs Alisson on Thursday.
There's been much debate so far this season about which Brazil goalkeeper is the stronger of the two.
Of course, the game on Thursday night will not give us any definitive answers; but it will be fascinating to witness.
RB: Kyle Walker
Danilo was a starter for City in their win at Southampton, but as long as Walker is fit and raring to go - it would be strange if he kept his place in the XI.
Walker has solidified City's right wing since joining from Tottenham and Guardiola will need to field his strongest possible defence to have any chance against Liverpool's prolific attack.
CB: Aymeric Laporte
One of the best defenders in the Premier League. Laporte has been an absolute revelation since linking up with City.
Laporte will have to be very careful in possession when playing out from the back, but he is superb at doing so 99% of the time.
It will be interesting to see the France centre-back up against three very unpredictable attackers in Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane.
CB: Vincent Kompany
Kompany's experience and cool-head in this game, of all games, could be crucial to keeping Liverpool at bay.
He's been there, he's done it and got the medals to prove it. The only concern would be his speed against some of the Reds' attack.
LB: Oleksandr Zinchenko
With Fabian Delph and Benjamin Mendy still out for the champions; their choices at left-back are very limited.
It's safe to say it was a rather interesting game for Zinchenko in Sunday's victory over Southampton.
The 22-year-old made a costly mistake which led to a Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg equaliser; but did redeem himself somewhat with an excellent ball to Sergio Aguero, who scored.
CM: Fernandinho
One of, if not the, most important figures in this City side. He's the cog to the engine.
Fernandinho was out for the game against Leicester, and it was that saying, "You don't realise how much you miss someone, until they're gone".
There could be a lot of tactical fouls for the Brazilian midfielder to make against a Liverpool team built to counter-attack.
CM: David Silva
Silva was absolute class against Southampton. His goal was amazing. His general link-up play was fabulous. He is some player.
Liverpool could have real problems defending against this guy. Like any team would. His elusive movement makes him so difficult to track for any defenders/midfielders.
CM: Bernardo Silva
David's namesake, Bernardo, who has been just as influential as his team-mate this season.
Hands down City's most improved player this season. He has really flourished since Guardiola decided to move him into a more central role.
RW: Leroy Sane
Sane sat out of City's 3-1 win against the Saints at the weekend. I think Pep may have had him in mind for this match all along.
He has caused Liverpool all sorts of problems in past meetings between the sides.
Mahrez could be dropped to the bench, after a not so effective performance against Southampton for the Algeria international.
LW: Raheem Sterling
This is a man who will want this spot more than anyone. A man who will want this victory more than anyone.
Since leaving Liverpool, every time Sterling has featured against the Reds; he has looked far from his best. Now's his time; when City need a strong performance more than anything.
ST: Sergio Aguero
Picks himself. His record against Liverpool is ridiculous. He's scored in all six of his home league games against the Reds.
His goal on Sunday was a fantastic header; typical Aguero. That should set him up nicely for the trip of the leaders on Thursday evening.
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